Childminder in Middlesbrough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY101853 Inspection date 07 September 2005 Inspector Josephine Ann Northend

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2001, she lives with her husband and their three children in a three bed-roomed semi-detached property in an established residential area on the outskirts of Middlesbrough, close to local amenities including parks, toddler groups and shops. The childminder is registered to care for four children under 8 years, there are currently four children under 8 years on roll and two children over 8 years who attend before and after school. Minded children have use of the ground floor of the property. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property for outdoor activities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The family have a pet cat that the minded children have supervised access to.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a broad range of activities which contribute to their good health. There are outdoor activities to help them develop their physical skills, for example as they ride on wheeled toys and use the climbing equipment. They enjoy regular visits to the park and local playgroups. The childminder has a good understanding of children's physical development providing activities, particularly with under threes, to challenge and encourage them to take the next steps. Children generally learn the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines however, they do not always wash their hands before eating. The childminder offers good support and guidance to the children which raises their awareness and develops their independence. High standards of cleanliness are maintained in childminding areas to ensure children are cared for in a warm, clean home. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They are offered drinks

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Helping children to be healthy

throughout the day. The childminder takes account of parents wishes for their children and complies with any special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a warm family home where effective safety measures allow them to move freely and explore independently. The childminder has sound systems in place to ensure children's safety inside and outside the home. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Furniture, equipment and toys which are of good quality and in a safe, well maintained condition are provided to promote children's development and welfare. Toys and resources are stored so that children can reach them easily, make choices, and develop their independence. The childminder has all the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example she holds a current first aid certificate, food hygiene certificate and has a sound understanding of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The provision is good. The childminder has a secure understanding of the range of experiences required to enable children to develop. Activities and play opportunities are purposeful and developmentally appropriate resulting in children being motivated and interested. Children's communication skills are developing well as a result of the childminder talking and listening to them, she encourages them to talk about what they are doing and sensitively supports their language development. Warm relationships between the childminder and the children all contribute to children's sense of belonging. Children are settled and happy in the childminders care. Routines and care have been established which are consistent with home, this promotes children's sense of security and develops their confidence. Children relate

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

well with each other and are beginning to socialise through regular attendance at local toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children play with a good range of resources and take part in activities which promote positive images of the wider world. The childminder has a very good understanding of each child as an individual and uses this to plan and resource activities which all children find enjoyable and interesting. Children behave very well. The childminder helps them to negotiate and take responsibility for their own behaviour by supporting them, being a positive role model, and encouraging the children to help each other. Minded children have good relationships with the childminder and appear very at home, relaxed and confident in her care. The childminder takes great interest in the experiences, preferences and individuality of the children and her positive interaction encourages children to feel valued and important.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease with the well-organised environment. This means they are confident and can initiate their own learning. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. The childminder organises her time well to meet the needs of the children. The childminder keeps her own knowledge up to date by attending regular training, the knowledge gained is used to enhance the care that is given to the children. There are effective systems in place for the sharing of information with parents about the service and their child's activities. Information is shared both verbally and written daily. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. The provision effectively meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure children regularly wash their hands before eating.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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